The Los Angeles Kings are up 2-0 on the Edmonton Oilers heading into Game 3 and surprisingly have done it in large part with their offense. They have scored 12 goals in the first two games, and five of those goals have been on the power play.
For most of the season, neither of these was the Kings' strengths as they relied more so on strong defense and excellent goaltending. The Oilers are clearly searching for answers and are expected to make a lineup change for the game on Friday night.
According to multiple reports, the Oilers are expected to have Calvin Pickard replace Stuart Skinner in net against the Kings. Skinner started the first two games and has a save percentage of .810 and a goals against average of 6.11.
However, historically Pickard has struggled against the Kings and in his career is 1-4 with a goals against average of 3.38 and a save percentage of .898. Of those games, two were during the regular season this year and Pickard suffered a loss in both and had a goals against average of 3.52.
At the end of Game 2, the Oilers would replace Skinner with Pickard and the results weren't much better as he allowed one goal on only three shots.
Los Angeles Kings need to put pressure on Calvin Pickard and Edmonton Oilers
Even though the Kings have had success against Pickard, they can't assume that will be the case on Friday night. They will need to try to put pressure on him early and keep it up over the course of the game because Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will certainly be trying to do the same as they look to set the tone for the next two games in Edmonton.
Based on how the series has started, the Edmonton Oilers were going to have to make a move in net. However, it might not make much of a difference based on what Pickard has done against the Kings.